Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Turkish names have European and Asian influences, quite like we see in the culture and architecture of the country. The Turkish language is a part of the Altaic language family and comprises three groups that include Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungusic. Across the vast territories that span from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean to Siberia and Western China, over 30 different languages are spoken. With time, the Turkish language was influenced by other languages like Arabic, Persian, and French. Despite its unsuitability as being part of a different language family, the Arabic script was adopted for writing. Every Turkish child is given one or in some cases, two first names. Most of the names are gender specific, but if parents want, they can select a unisex name as well. The Turkish naming format closely resembles the Western naming system, where the first name is followed by the family name or surname (1). The first names are often made up of Turkish words that hold specific meanings. With the introduction of the Surname Law in 1934, all the citizens of Turkey were required to adopt an official surname. Married women can carry both their maiden and their spouse’s surname. In earlier times, most Turkish names were patronymics, which means that the baby was given the first name or forename of the father. Turkish people used the Arabic words ‘bin’, which means ‘son of’ or ‘bint’, which means ‘daughter of’ with the given names. For instance, if a child was named Ahmed and his father’s name was Mohammed, he would be called Ahmed bin Mohammed. It is also a common practice in Turkey for people to be addressed by their first name followed by ‘bey’ for men and ‘hanim’ for women respectively (1). In this post, we bring you a collection of Turkish baby names with meanings. In order to make your search a bit simpler, we’ve classified the name according to their gender.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Roxelana |  |  Girl | One who comes from the Rutheria region |
| Roxi | | Girl | Feminine; Bold; Charismatic |
| Safet | |  Boy | The best part; Pure |
| Safiye | | Girl | A genuine person |
| Sait | | Boy | Fortunate or lucky |
| Samiel | |  Unisex | Blind devotion |
| Sanem | | Unisex | Sky; Dream |
| Savas | | Boy | Victorious warrior |
| Sefa | | Girl | Pleasure |
| Sejan | | Unisex | A calm, peaceful person |
| Selin | | Unisex | Moonlight or luminous |
| Semra | | Girl | Joyful or cheerful |
| Serap | | Girl | Mirage |
| Seray | | Unisex | Palace; Mansion |
| Serin | | Unisex | Love |
| Serkan | | Unisex | Strength; courageous; leader |
| Sevgili | | Girl | Darling |
| Sevinc | | Girl | Joy; Delight |
| Sevket | | Boy | Power and dignity |
| Seyyal | | Girl | Traveler |
| Sezen | | Girl | Feeling |
| Shahinaz | | Girl | A beloved and beautiful girl |
| Shakirat | | Unisex | An appreciative person |
| Sibel | | Girl | Turkish name; Prophetess; An Oracle |
| Sibeli | | Girl | A Prophetess; A variation of Sibel |
| Silaah | | Girl | To be reunited |
| Silah | | Unisex | Bond; Connection |
| Sinem | | Girl | Cinema; Movie |
| Soner | | Boy | He who is the last man |
| Songl | | Girl | The last rose |
| Soyer | | Unisex | Watcher; Guardian |
| Suheyla | | Girl | Star of elegance or grace |
| Sukru | | Boy | Grateful |
| Suleyman | | Boy | He who is a man of peace |
| Sumeyye | | Girl | She who is high above others |
| Tabib | | Boy | Doctor or someone who cures the sick |
| Tamraz | | Boy | A strong dog |
| Tanju | | Boy | He who is blessed by Allah |
| Tansu | | Unisex | Water of the dawn |
| Tarkan | | Boy | He who is bold and strong |
| Tayan | | Unisex | Helpful; Supportive |
| Taygan | | Unisex | Strong; Brave; Spirited |
| Tengiz | | Boy | Sea; Ocean |
| Terik | | Unisex | Acrobat |
| Tey | | Unisex | Strong; Determined; Tenacious |
| Tijen | | Unisex | Crown made of flowers |
| Tolga | | Boy | Eagle; Sharp-eyed |
| Toulin | | Girl | A circular band of light around moon |
| Truong | | Boy | College; Meadow |
| Tuana | | Girl | Gifted, understanding, compassionate |
| Tubba | | Girl | Pure and diligent human being; a tree from heaven |
| Tuncay | | Boy | Refers to a moon which made by bronze or moon reflects in bronze color |
| Turhan | | Unisex | Strong ruler; Leader |
| Turk | | Unisex | Turkish; Turkic |
| Ulugbek | | Boy | Great chieftain |
| Umut | | Unisex | Hope or optimism |
| Vedat | | Unisex | The divine word |
| Yadgar | | Boy | Memorable |
| Yalin | | Unisex | Clear; Straightforward; Uncomplicated |
| Yanik | | Unisex | He who is fire |
| Yavuz | | Boy | Brave; Fierce |
| Yazi | | Unisex | Summer; Hot; Bright |
| Yeliz | | Unisex | Cheerful or happiness |
| Yeni | | Unisex | New; Fresh; Recent |
| Yerik | | Boy | Strong ruler; Appointed by God |
| Yigit | | Boy | Brave, handsome, intelligent |
| Yildiz | | Girl | Star |
| Yusef | | Boy | He will add |
| Yusuf | | Boy | God increases in piety, power, and influence |
| Zambak | | Girl | Lily |
| Zehab | | Boy | Gold |
| Zehra | | Girl | Bright, luminous |
| Zekai | | Unisex | Pure or clear-minded |
| Zeki | | Boy | One who is clever and intelligent |
| Zel | | Girl | Private or special |
| Zey | | Unisex | Adorned; Decorated |
| Zeynep | | Girl | Precious gem |
| Zhumabek | | Boy | Minister-in-charge on fridays |
| Zihan | | Boy | Intellectual, thoughtful, visionary |
| Zlem | | Girl | Longing, yearning |
| Zuleyha | | Girl | Radiant beauty |
Turkish baby names are an enticing fusion of European, Asian, and Arab influences. This blend is mirrored in the culture and architecture of the country. The amalgamation of different languages like Arabic, Persian, and French led to the emergence of names that carry a special significance while maintaining a traditional feel to them. These Turkish names are a great way to honor your roots or simply adorn your child with a unique name. Also, a name that rhymes well with the names of parents could be an excellent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some Turkish baby names inspired by nature?
In Turkish culture, there are numerous baby names that take inspiration from nature. For example, the nature-inspired feminine names include Nuray (meaning bright moon), Acarsu (meaning stream, river, running water), and Irmak (meaning river).
2. Can Turkish baby names be unisex?
Yes. There are numerous gender-neutral Turkish baby names. They include Aytaç (meaning crown of the moon), Evren (meaning cosmos), Evrim (meaning evolution), Özgür (meaning free), and Yücel (meaning sublime).
3. What is the meaning behind the Turkish baby name "Emre"?
The Turkish masculine baby name Emre carries the meaning of ‘friend’ or ‘brother.’ This name has historical significance as it was held by the renowned 13th-century Turkish poet Yunus Emre.
Infographic: Captivating Turkish Baby Names With Meanings
Turkish baby names originate from the Turkish language but also show the influence of European and Asian languages. These names are intertwined with tradition, history, and diversity, making them truly distinctive in their own way. Dive into the charm of Turkish baby names in this infographic and find the one that suits your baby best.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
